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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

SamiyaJ

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Apr 16, 2024
199
543
Hi all,

If I’m in full time employment and I secure a TC starting in 2 years time, how does obtaining references work? Does the firm contact the workplace immediately or?

A very hypothetical question at this point lol but would be good to know!
 
Reactions: The-PFO-Collector

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,310
21,389
Hi all,

If I’m in full time employment and I secure a TC starting in 2 years time, how does obtaining references work? Does the firm contact the workplace immediately or?

A very hypothetical question at this point lol but would be good to know!
References generally aren’t requested until 2-4 months before you start your TC.
 

andrecsaa

Valued Member
  • Dec 19, 2022
    108
    83
    Hi all,

    If I’m in full time employment and I secure a TC starting in 2 years time, how does obtaining references work? Does the firm contact the workplace immediately or?

    A very hypothetical question at this point lol but would be good to know!
    Huge congrats!

    Would you quit your job for the SQE prep? Do firms offer the option to take the SQE prep lessons online?
     

    SamiyaJ

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Apr 16, 2024
    199
    543
    Huge congrats!

    Would you quit your job for the SQE prep? Do firms offer the option to take the SQE prep lessons online?
    Don’t congratulate me yet, I have secured nada! 😂

    If I do secure a TC, I will probably quit my job. I don’t think firms allow you to study for it part time (please correct me if I’m wrong) and I don’t think I’ll be able to manage a job and SQE at the same time!

    Not sure if they allow you to do the prep online
     

    badmintonflyinginsect

    Valued Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 26, 2023
    105
    85
    I wouldn’t say it is common but enough people do it. I don’t really agree with doing it from a moral standpoint as it will limit and reduce the number of TCs available to people, but at the same time I understand people have to have a level of being selfish when it comes to their future career too.

    The biggest thing to point out os when they do they only do so up to the point they haven’t received any financial support from the firm nor started the onboarding process for the GDL/LPC/SQE.

    I have only heard of a handful of people who took this approach after some form of support was given and for all of them it got exceptionally messy. When you do it at that stage, you are effectively planning to have to pay for whatever you have committed to with the firm yourself. You will most likely have to pay back the original firm and your new firm may not be able to reimburse you for that expense.
    I do not plan on reneging the TC after receiving any financial support. I'm just trying to gauge if the firm will/can pursue a claim against me or anything of that sort. Do you reckon they still can?
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    15,310
    21,389
    I do not plan on reneging the TC after receiving any financial support. I'm just trying to gauge if the firm will/can pursue a claim against me or anything of that sort. Do you reckon they still can?
    They technically can but no one does for entry level roles.

    It would be ridiculous to try and pursue a claim when trainees are easily replaceable. You only would pursue costs if there was substantial costs incurred through the breach of contract - there isn’t really any major costs until the training kicks in. The legal costs of pursuing any action would far outweigh any potential costs recovered.
     

    sl0712

    New Member
    Feb 5, 2024
    3
    0
    Hi! I was wondering if someone could explain how the use of ChatGPT in applications might be viewed. I’ve used ChatGPT to improve the logic and structure of my sentences, paraphrase, check grammar, and cut my answers into fewer words. All the facts in my application were real and truthful. I'm not sure if my application was rejected because of that, but could the use of AI impact my future prospects in any way? For example, they mentioned that the firm could report to the SRA. (Sorry if my question sounds silly, I’m just really worried)
     
    • Wow
    Reactions: Wannabe_Lawyer

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    15,310
    21,389
    Hi! I was wondering if someone could explain how the use of ChatGPT in applications might be viewed. I’ve used ChatGPT to improve the logic and structure of my sentences, paraphrase, check grammar, and cut my answers into fewer words. All the facts in my application were real and truthful. I'm not sure if my application was rejected because of that, but could the use of AI impact my future prospects in any way? For example, they mentioned that the firm could report to the SRA. (Sorry if my question sounds silly, I’m just really worried)
    Who mentioned that the firm would report people to the SRA?
     

    sl0712

    New Member
    Feb 5, 2024
    3
    0
    Who mentioned that the firm would report people to the SRA?
    There was a statement at the end of the application forms saying that the firm is regulated by the SRA and expects honesty and integrity. Essentially, it was the same text on each application sent through Vantage, stating that using ChatGPT was prohibited, even though the firm’s website said it was allowed
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    15,310
    21,389
    There was a statement at the end of the application forms saying that the firm is regulated by the SRA and expects honesty and integrity. Essentially, it was the same text on each application sent through Vantage, stating that using ChatGPT was prohibited, even though the firm’s website said it was allowed
    Saying they are regulated by the SRA is very different to saying they would report you. If the firm’s website says it’s okay to use it, this is just a default on Vantage that they haven’t been able to switch off and it can be ignored.
     

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